Players build by spending resources (wool, grain, lumber, brick, and ore) that are depicted by these resource cards each land type, with the exception of the unproductive desert, produces a specific resource: hills produce brick, forests produce lumber, mountains produce ore, fields produce grain, and pastures produce wool. In 2016, editions of the game were released with a conventional fixed layout board in this configuration, the hexes of which cannot be rearranged.
Newer editions of the game began to depict a fixed layout in their manual, which has been proven by computer simulations to be fairly even-handed, and recommend this to be used by beginners. The game board, which represents the island, is composed of hexagonal tiles ( hexes) of different land types, which are laid out randomly at the beginning of each game. Players build settlements, cities, and roads to connect them as they settle the island. The players in the game represent settlers establishing settlements on the island of Catan. This is one of many Catan custom, extra-large boards seen during demonstrations and tournaments at Gen Con. A giant game of Catan being played at Gen Con Indy 2003.
